Today’s Announcement of ‘Ease’ in Restriction Still Regulates Gay Men to Back of Blood Donation Bus
Long Island, NY (April 2, 2020) – Today the FDA announced they would be ‘easing’ blood donor restrictions that target gay and bisexual men due to the urgent deficiency to the American blood supply in light of the COVID-19 virus, but David Kilmnick, President and CEO of the New York LGBT Network says it does not go far enough and the policy remains just as discriminatory as it was yesterday. The FDA’s new policy now reads that gay and bisexual men are eligible to donate blood if they abstain from sexual activity with same sex partners for a period of 3 months instead of the prior policy which was 12 months.
“This FDA’s new policy and regulations are still discrimination, plain and simple. Going from a period of 12 months to 3 months does not change the inequity for gay and bisexual men that want to do their civic duty and help their fellow Americans in one of the worst crises that has ever gripped our nation” said Kilmnick. “This policy is not based on science and as we are seeing the coronavirus does not discriminate and nor should our government. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are desperately in need of blood and it is urgent that the FDA lifts all restrictions so we can save as many lives as possible” Kilmnick said.
“LGBT Americans are healthcare workers, grocery and pharmacy workers, scientists, researchers, government employees and more who are part of the laundry list of heroes who are fighting the war on the coronavirus each day. Without their tremendous work, contribution and sacrifice to our great nation we would have a significant smaller army to fight the virus and save lives” Kilmnick said. “And let’s be perfectly clear. The only way to end discrimination is to terminate it, not ease it. Americans need blood now and LGBT Americans are waiting to help. It’s up to our federal government to make the decision whether to continue discriminatory policies and unnecessarily lose lives or to end discrimination and save lives. It’s that simple”.
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The LGBT Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is a home and voice for LGBT people, their families, and support systems of Long Island and Queens. The LGBT Network helps LGBT people to be themselves, stay healthy, and change the world.